MISSION: 

Dedicated to improving the lives of children, families, and adults living in poverty.
 

PROGRAMS: 

Fall – During the last two weeks of August, Helping Hands host a back to school back pack program for school age children.  Each eligible child receives a new back packed filled with new school supplies to start the school year with success. 

Throughout the year we host a food and clothing hamper program where individuals and families are provided with essentials.  Families and individuals can access the clothing hamper program twice a year, and will receive 1-2 new outfits per request, depending on the amount of clothing on hand, and the demand in the community.  Food hampers will consist of a one week supply of food – both perishable and non-perishable goods depending on our supply.

To be eligible for any of the three free programs above an income assessment is conducted, unless clients are referred to us by another social agency.

During the Christmas season Helping Hands donates toys, clothes and food to people in need of a smile during the Holiday Season.  We host special dinners and events to celebrate the many Holidays that occur during the months of December and January.
 

We are getting ready to launch a community soup kitchen in the Ajax/Pickering area.  The community soup kitchen will offer hot, healthy family style meals to the community at a cost of between $1-2 per meal.  Meals will be offered from 4:00pm – 6:30pm.  This time frame will give children the ability to get a healthy meal while they wait for a parent to come home from work.  We want to ensure that no child will go to bed hungry because there is nothing at home to eat. 

We will start with 2-3 days a week to establish our base, and then broaden to offer meals 5 days a week.  Meals will be served restaurant style, to provide the atmosphere of a restaurant at a cost cheaper than eating at home.  Monthly we will also host community cooking classes, to teach people how to cook on a budget and prepare healthy meals. 

All children who attend the community soup kitchen will be provided with a box lunch which they can use to take to school the following day.  Research has proven that children are more attentive and retain more information while at school, if they are well nourished and have a healthy lunch.
 

Thank You,

Olivia Archer
Executive Director

Email  Olivia Archer